Oldham County’s largest event will fill downtown La Grange this weekend with music, vendors, food and a parade.

It is the 42nd annual Oldham County Day, presented by the Project Guild of La Grange.

This year’s parade — a keystone of the event — will honor the late Buddy Head, a life-long Oldham County resident and community supporter.

Chosen as the parade’s grand marshal earlier this year, Head was looking forward to the event, but he died suddenly July 7.

He told The Era in a recent interview that he was surprised to learn he had been selected as grand marshal — family members kept his nomination a secret.

Head’s nomination focused on his decades of volunteer work, including organizing local Crusade for Children efforts and serving on the La Grange Kiwanis and Oldham County Fair boards.

He’s also well-known for promoting the installation of automated external defibrillators across Oldham County. An AED saved Head’s life when he suffered cardiac arrest while shopping in Louisville.

Head will be represented in the parade’s lead car by his wife, Judy, and other family members.

Head was also honored Tuesday at the grand marshal’s luncheon at the John W. Black Community Center.

Oldham County Day has grown from an ice cream social four decades ago to a two-day celebration.

The festival continues Friday with dancing and music by The Vinyl Kings and The Marlins, with performances from 5:30-11 p.m. Food vendors will also be open during the concert.

Concert-goers will have a front-row seat when participants in the YMCA’s 5k race and 1-mile walk pass by.

The race starts at Covenant United Methodist Church, follows Allen Lane to Commerce Parkway, up Ky. 53 through downtown La Grange and finishes on Kentucky Street near Wood Springs Road.

Saturday morning kicks off with the La Grange Rotary Club’s pancake breakfast from 7-10:30 a.m. at the La Grange Community Center.

Entertainment begins and vendors open around 9 a.m., with the parade starting at 10 a.m.

Visitors can participate in a free Zumba fitness class at 9 a.m. on the courthouse lawn.

Musical performances include the Oldham County Singers, The A Cappella Fellas, Allen Lane band, Barefoot Best Friends, Oldham County Community Band, Benjamin Brainer and the La Grange Baptist Worship Band and Cryin’ Wolf.

Other entertainment includes scenes from the St. Francis Goshen production of “Annie,” a tug-of-war and two shows by Wild West re-enactors with Six Guns Entertainment. A dramatic Wild West shootout will take place at high noon on the courthouse lawn.

A children’s carnival is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at La Grange Christian Church.

A shuttle bus will run from the Cedar Lake Enrichment Center at 230 Yager Ave. throughout the day.

Beginning at 7:15 p.m., the following roads may be closed and/or traffic stopped for the 5K run: Allen Lane from train tracks to Jefferson St., Button Lane, sections of Commerce Pkwy., Parker Dr., Crystal Drive, First St. (Ky. 53) from Parker Dr. to Jefferson St. (Ky. 146), Main St. from First Ave. (Ky. 53) to 6th Ave., Kentucky Ave., Yager Ave., Franklin Ave. and Jefferson St. (Ky. 146).

Saturday, July 21

Oldham County Day — Closed from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.: Main St. between Walnut St. and 3rd Ave., Walnut St. from Jefferson St. to Washington St.. 2nd Ave., from Jefferson St. to Main St. Oldham County Fiscal Court Parking Lot at Main St. between Second and Third Avenues will also be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Oldham County Day Parade — Prior to and during the parade NO PARKING on Jefferson St. from 5th Ave. to Walnut St. from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Beginning about 9 a.m., possible road closings for parade line up include – Madison St. from Dawkins Road to 4th Ave., 5th Ave., Scott Monfort and Madison St., Spring St.

A free Oldham County Cay bus service operates Saturday compliments of Oldham County Fiscal Court. Park and board the tram bus at Cedar Lake Enrichment Center, 230 Yager Ave., La Grange. The tram runs every 15-20 minutes. The bus leaves turning onto Yager Avenue and proceeds to the stoplight. It will turn left onto Ky. 53, turning right onto Jefferson Street. Then the tram will proceed right onto Walnut Avenue, and stop at the three-way stop. The tram will go to the La Grange Square plaza, then left at the light onto Ky. 53, and right onto Yager making its way back to the Cedar Lake Enrichment Center parking lot.

9 a.m. The Weeks Family. Local, musically talented family features Dan and Paige with their two sons, Garrett and Patrick on the East Lawn Stage.

9 a.m. Oldham County YMCA presents Zumba fitness. Second Street gazebo. Zumba combines Latin and International music for a fun workout. Party yourself into shape and groove at your own pace. Prizes and give-a-ways.

10 a.m. Oldham County Day Parade. Route begins at 5th and Jefferson Streets and winds through downtown La Grange. Parade features local high school bands, athletic teams, floats, bicycles and is highlighted by the Kosair Shriners Temple.

11 a.m. The A Cappella Fellas. Oldham County men singing barbershop style a capella harmony. Performing at the Second Street gazebo. An off-shoot of the Thoroughbred Chorus, chartered with the Barbershop Harmony Society headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.

11:30 a.m. The Oldham County Singers. Performing at the air-conditioned Rob Morris Chapel.

11:30 a.m. Allen Lane, Country and Southern Rock Music. Performing on the Second Street gazebo. Lane is a local artist and massage therapist. He has performed for many fundraisers and has made appearances at Fourth Street LIVE! and SaddleRidge.

11:30 a.m. Scenes from “Annie.” Several performers from St. Francis School will feature scenes from their upcoming musical. East Lawn Stage.

12 p.m.Gunfight at High Noon presented by Six Guns on the Courthouse Lawn. Six Guns Entertainment enjoys entertaining young and old alike by re-enacting many of history’s famous gunfights. You might see “Billy the Kidd,” “Wyatt Earp,” or even “Outlaw Josey Wales” in action.

12:30 p.m. Barefoot Best Friends. East Lawn Stage. Barefoot Best Friends began playing at the La Grange Farmers’ Market in 2008. They started with Celtic and Folk music, but have recently added old time mountain music as well as an occasional Beatles tune!

1 p.m. Oldham County Community Band. Courthouse Lawn. Oldham County Day would not be the same without our own Oldham County Community Band directed by Brad Rogers.

2 p.m. A Bluegrass Jam. Performers with an open stage invite you to bring your instrument and join the music and fun on the East Lawn Stage.

3 p.m. 3rd Annual Tug of War. Courthouse lawn. The local fire departments and law enforcement agencies will battle it out! The Oldham County Law Enforcement Team is the reining champion, beware... fierce competition!

3:30 p.m. Six Guns Entertainment. Courthouse lawn. Many of the Wild West gunfighters are from Oldham County, you’re sure to be entertained in true western style.

4 p.m. Cryin’ Wolf. Presented on the Second Street Gazebo, a great sounding teen duo and a great way to end the day!